FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[retagent]

When talking about DIII powers, one should keep in mind that not all that many years ago, only 4 (I think)teams got into the playoffs, and, IMO, the selection process was less than scientific. I believe that the number of playoff teams, even as late as the 90's was only 16.  Many good teams were left out, so not being in the playoffs was not necessarily a sign that a team was not better than some of the teams in the playoffs

Say what you will now, but I doubt that any team capable of winning it all is left out of the field. You can argue about the teams that make it in, and are left out, at the margins, but I sincerly doubt that a Championship caliber team has not made it since the field went to 32.

[Pat Coleman]

Indeed, the playoffs were at 16 teams for many years up until 1998. And the regional rankings system was fairly political, I think that's a fair assessment.

[danimal]

danimal, I think you bring up a good point. I don't believe there is much campaigning of the new changes being proposed to the students on campus. You need to sell to your student body, as well as, your local community. You never know where that next player or contributor will come from.

These are good points. Speaking of the local community, I have no idea how hard UW-RF went after him, but  former RF High School standout running back Levi Johnson is on UW-W's team this year.

I thought Levi wanted to be a UMD Bulldog?  There's also an o-lineman from Hudson at WW.  Although younger players, WW RB Levi-River Falls, WW OL Berg Hudson (program says 6'5 but the kid's at least 6'6), RF student Cunningham (former Hudson OL, recouping from a broken leg, all state), RF student Bennett (former Hudson FS, all state) would have been four solid pieces to RF's puzzle.  Tough to see two leave the area and two not play.  RF's not bad, they just need a few more pieces.  

Back in the day RF was certainly a pull for prospects, but times have changed.  Needed: 1) improve the FB facilities; 2) increase FB staff; 3) work tirelessly to identify and bring in as many of the best prospects as possible from the immediate area and at schools who have coaches with RF ties; and 4) pump the program to any media outlet willing to listen.  Even w/DII scholies, the cost between DII and DIII is close.  

[Beyond Prime]

danimal, I think you bring up a good point. I don't believe there is much campaigning of the new changes being proposed to the students on campus. You need to sell to your student body, as well as, your local community. You never know where that next player or contributor will come from.

These are good points. Speaking of the local community, I have no idea how hard UW-RF went after him, but  former RF High School standout running back Levi Johnson is on UW-W's team this year.

I don't know either how hard he was recruited, but wasn't saddened to see him on the WW roster. I would have hoped that our current transfer from WW and his success would have been a factor.

[Beyond Prime]

danimal, I think you bring up a good point. I don't believe there is much campaigning of the new changes being proposed to the students on campus. You need to sell to your student body, as well as, your local community. You never know where that next player or contributor will come from.

These are good points. Speaking of the local community, I have no idea how hard UW-RF went after him, but  former RF High School standout running back Levi Johnson is on UW-W's team this year.

I thought Levi wanted to be a UMD Bulldog?  There's also an o-lineman from Hudson at WW.  Although younger players, WW RB Levi-River Falls, WW OL Berg Hudson (program says 6'5 but the kid's at least 6'6), RF student Cunningham (former Hudson OL, recouping from a broken leg, all state), RF student Bennett (former Hudson FS, all state) would have been four solid pieces to RF's puzzle.  Tough to see two leave the area and two not play.  RF's not bad, they just need a few more pieces.  

Back in the day RF was certainly a pull for prospects, but times have changed.  Needed: 1) improve the FB facilities; 2) increase FB staff; 3) work tirelessly to identify and bring in as many of the best prospects as possible from the immediate area and at schools who have coaches with RF ties; and 4) pump the program to any media outlet willing to listen.  Even w/DII scholies, the cost between DII and DIII is close.  

Like a couple of other WIAC teams, RF is also a very young team. If they can bring in some more kids, I think they can move up to the top half in the next couple of years. A lot of what ifs though.

[danimal]

danimal, I think you bring up a good point. I don't believe there is much campaigning of the new changes being proposed to the students on campus. You need to sell to your student body, as well as, your local community. You never know where that next player or contributor will come from.

These are good points. Speaking of the local community, I have no idea how hard UW-RF went after him, but  former RF High School standout running back Levi Johnson is on UW-W's team this year.

I thought Levi wanted to be a UMD Bulldog?  There's also an o-lineman from Hudson at WW.  Although younger players, WW RB Levi-River Falls, WW OL Berg Hudson (program says 6'5 but the kid's at least 6'6), RF student Cunningham (former Hudson OL, recouping from a broken leg, all state), RF student Bennett (former Hudson FS, all state) would have been four solid pieces to RF's puzzle.  Tough to see two leave the area and two not play.  RF's not bad, they just need a few more pieces.  

Back in the day RF was certainly a pull for prospects, but times have changed.  Needed: 1) improve the FB facilities; 2) increase FB staff; 3) work tirelessly to identify and bring in as many of the best prospects as possible from the immediate area and at schools who have coaches with RF ties; and 4) pump the program to any media outlet willing to listen.  Even w/DII scholies, the cost between DII and DIII is close.  

Like a couple of other WIAC teams, RF is also a very young team. If they can bring in some more kids, I think they can move up to the top half in the next couple of years. A lot of what ifs though.

Failed to mention also Rocky Lason-UWRF student, 09 all star game participant QB, athlete from Somerset. 

Speaking of Larson, wouldn't be bad to see Bruce Larson from Somerset apply for head coach.  The bone would be back is my guess.

[Beyond Prime]

Speaking of Larson, wouldn't be bad to see Bruce Larson from Somerset apply for head coach.  The bone would be back is my guess.

I wondered if he would tap more into people and contacts from his past, such as from the North Dakota area.

[retagent]

How about a "Shout Out" to the UWEC womwn golfers. They are ranked #3 by GOLFWEEK magazine in their pre-season poll.

[footballfan413]

How about a "Shout Out" to the UWEC womwn golfers. They are ranked #3 by GOLFWEEK magazine in their pre-season poll.

Excellent!  You go, Girls!   

[footballfan413]

Any thoughts on the UWEC-NCC game this weekend? Big game for both teams.

I am really excited to see how this game plays out.  After all, a game between an upper level CCIW and WIAC team have been few and far between. 

[wsuc/wiac fan]

bulk19 asserts that lax dominated the league from 1970-2005. well--yes and no. from coach farley's first championship team at rf in 1975 until his retirement after the 1988 season rf won/shared 8 titles to lax's 5. rf was 9-5 vs lax during that period.

[bulk19]

Another name to throw out there regarding recruiting is Bob Nielson at UMD, who has a D2 title under his belt there in his first seven years, and has several kids from Wisconsin on his roster... Perhaps his coaching in the state has helped him draw kids there, even if it was only for a short stint...

Although he was only there three years, he was head coach at UWEC, including during the 1998 season, when the 'Golds made it to the semifinals...

You could probably throw in Todd Hoffner at Minnesota State as well; he was Neilson's successor...

[fredfalcon]

Levi Johnson was recruited by Falcons, but did not have grades to get in. The last time I talked to him, two years ago, he was headed to a two year school in Twin Cities to get grades up, then, he said, he wanted to play at UMD. This is the first I've heard of him since. Something happened to his plan. I'm assuming the pull of the WW program was more attractive than that of RF.

[fredfalcon]

And, btw, Taylor Edwards, the leading rusher in the conference now, is a WW castoff from Janesville. That shows the difference between the talent at the two schools.

[BoBo]

Levi Johnson was recruited by Falcons, but did not have grades to get in.

I didn't realize the admission standards of WIAC schools were that different. Who knew?